Method of connecting the panels of field-fences



W. D. SHELDON.

Portable Fence.

No. 19,159. Patented Jany19 1858 N. PPPP S. Philip-Him. Wi hinlkm. D. C,

UNIT sat W'M. D. SHELDON, OF HURON, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF CONNECTING THE PANELS OF FIELD-FENCES.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM D. SHELDON, of Huron, in the county of Vayne and State of New York, have invented a new and .useful Improvement in Constructing Portable Fences; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanylng drawings, making part of this specification, Figure 1, being a top view of a portion of a fence constructed in my improved manner; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3, a top view of a portion of a fence slightly modified in construction from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4c, a side elevation thereof.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My improved fence, like most portable fences which are constructed without posts, has the Zigzag form. I construct the sections with simple rails A, A, and upright pickets a, a. The rails A, A, project, at both ends, a few inches beyond the end pickets, as represented at b, b, in the drawings. These projecting extremities of the rails of the alternate sections rest upon those of the intermediate sections; and the top rails are provided with spikes, nails, or pins, (Z, (Z, projecting downward from the lower sides thereof, at a short and uniform distance from the end pickets, substantially as shown in the drawings; while the lower rails are provided with holes, or notches, at the same or corresponding distance from the end pickets of said sections, for the reception of the nails or pins of the alternate sections. Instead of the upper rails being provided with nails or pins, and the lower rails, with holes, the arrangement may be reversed; that is, the lower rails may be provided with nails or pins, and the upper rails with holes or notches. The projecting ends 7), b, may be notched or halved, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to bring all the rails to the same height; or the rails of the alternate sections may be simply placed upon those of the intermediate sections, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. WVhen the sections have thus been prepared, they are put together, and the fence straightened, till the alternate projecting ends of the rails bear against the end pickets a, a, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2. This binds the whole firmly together, and makes a strong fence. If it is desired to have both ends of all the rails bear against pickets, additional pickets may be attached at one end of the rails on the side opposite to the regular pickets, as shown at f, f, Figs. 3 and I. But I do not consider them necessary.

\Vhen a fence is constructed as above de scribed, any alternate section may be readily lifted from the adjoining sections; or one end thereof detached, and'the section swung around, like a gate, so as to allow the passage of a team, &c. At the same time, the fence is not liable to be thrown down by cattle lifting any of the lengths from their positions, since the nails or pins (Z, (Z, may be made as long as desirable, and the binding pickets furnish long bearings for the projections of the rails which can not easily be got over by animals lifting the sections. The construction also has another advantage over the simple shoulders on the rails, because no such accuracy of construction is required to make the fence firm; so that both cheapness of construction and efficiency are thereby promoted.

I wish it to be understood that I distinctly disclaim the use of notched shoulders on the rails in connection with coupling pins or their equivalents; nor do I claim the employment of the pickets in other combinations, to assist in locking the fence; but

IVhat I claim as my invention, is

The combination of the end pickets of the sections of the fence with coupling pins or spikes, substantially as described, so that the fence may be put together or taken apart by simply hooking on or lifting off the alternate lengths or sections, for the purposes specified.

In witness that the above isa true specification of my improved portable fence, I hereunto set my hand this tenth day of July,

M. D. SHELDON. Vitnesses:

DANIEL DoUD, JOHN F. SPRAGUE. 

